Got Tax Staff? Save Money on Recruiting and Retaining Top Tax Talent

Tax policy never seems to get less complex, and the more complicated it gets the more important it is for accounting firms to maintain a great tax department. At the same time we’re facing ever more complicated tax law, the tanking economy is causing firms to pull back on hiring. In a recent survey by Ajilon Professional Staffing, only 13% of accountants surveyed said they are planning to hire staff to handle the additional work required this tax season.

Jesse Ryan, market manager for Ajilon Professional Staffing, offers the following advice for managers to save money on recruitment and staffing costs as the tax season makes ample accounting talent essential.

• Always recruit for tax experience/skills.
  Sometimes jobseekers don’t know how to highlight their own strengths.  Digging deeper into resumes can help you identify your ideal candidates, and uncover tax experience that may be hidden.  Keep in mind that tax experts are a good investment; they can serve in lots of generalist roles.
• Keep your options open.
  If you are unable to bring on full-time permanent staff you still have plenty of options.  Consider bringing on part-time employees to assist your existing staff with their increased workload, also consider outsourcing to a telecommuter.  A temporary staffing agency can be your best option to bring in help specifically for the tax season.
• Use all recruiting resources.
  Remember your network.  Do you have colleagues in your field who have recently passed over strong candidates they might be willing to forward along?  Don’t forget the time and money that can be saved by using a professional recruiter that can handle the entire process from start to finish for you.
• Look inward.
  Remember that your team can be your best resource.  Do you have an employee referral bonus policy in place? Your current staff will only pass along the most responsible and capable candidates, no one wants to tarnish their own recommendation with a bad referral.
• Train year-round.
  Having a prepared accounting team can greatly reduce the strain of an especially complex tax season. Make sure that your most senior level employees are sharing their knowledge, both informally and formally with the rest of the team. Try creating a training schedule to follow throughout the year, ask a senior level employee to present a series of presentations over lunches, organize 1on 1’s for junior level employees, etc.

 “With a changing administration and new corporate tax policies on the horizon this year’s tax season may be more complex than previous years, which according to our survey, is anticipated by more than half of corporate accountants,” said Ryan. “Having the right level of talent and the right amount of staff on board to manage the process this year will be critical to keep up with any changes and meet critical filing deadlines.”

As a former part-time tax resource myself, I would add that permanent part-time/flex-time employees are also a great option. That way you can take advantage of keeping them trained and in the loop throughout the year, and increase their workload during tax season.

Image Credit: eric acevedo, Flickr